Big Race Double For Westerner At Haydock
Sons of Westerner provided Gavin Cromwell and Sean Flanagan with a big race double at Haydock on Saturday.
Yeah Man (7g Westerner – Baraza, by Kalanisi) was first to oblige when proving his stamina in a gruelling renewal of the Grade 3 Grand National Trial. The Irish raider was sent off joint-favourite following his narrow defeat in a Grade 3 last time out, while his penultimate start saw him fall at the final fence in a similar contest.
Stepping up to three and a half miles for the first time, the bay was patiently ridden and improved into second at the third last. Ridden to dispute at the final fence, he led on the run-in and kept on to win by a length and a half.
“It was a very good performance,” Sean Flanagan later said. “He was duly rewarded today as he's been knocking on the door.” The in-form trainer added, “I'm delighted with that. He may have an entry in the Kim Muir, but I'd say he's most likely to go for the Irish National.”
Owned by JR Brennan and Martin Hannan, Yeah Man joined connections after making a winning debut for Cormac Doyle. The son of Westerner is the best performer bred by Brandon View Stud out of the unraced mare Baraza.
Connections returned to the winners’ enclosure two races later when Now Is The Hour (7g Westerner – Keyaza, by Azamour) bolted up in the Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle.
Successful in a maiden hurdle last time out, Gavin Cromwell’s charge stepped up to three miles for the first time on Sunday and appeared to relish the testing conditions. He made smooth headway to dispute from three out and was shaken up to lead at the final fence, before drawing clear to score by 17 lengths.
“Gavin has produced this horse brilliantly on the day,” Sean Flanagan later said. “He really enjoys this type of ground. I've got into a nice rhythm and he's come home well. He's a nice prospect.”
Now Is The Hour joined the team from Derek O’Connor, for whom he impressed on debut. Now owned by the BDS Syndicate, the progressive novice was bred by Tom Treacy.